Strachan still in right humour

SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE: Rangers v CelticVenue: Ibrox Kick-off: Today, 12.30pm On TV: Setanta Sports 1: IT IS entirely apt that Gordon Strachan links humour to his longevity as the Celtic manager.

A star of YouTube, perhaps as well known in England - albeit unfairly - for his one-liners as his coaching talent, Strachan has also had plenty to smile about during almost four years in Glasgow.

Bookmakers are taking bets on whether today will be his last Old Firm derby amid the annual debate over whether the former Coventry City and Southampton manager will call time on his Celtic tenure this summer. The man himself, however, appears more content in his surroundings than at any point since 2005.

"I feel good," insisted Strachan. "We were still having a laugh and a joke out on that training field this week; once I lose my sense of humour out there, that will be the turning point. When I have humour, I know I am enjoying myself."

Yet this remains an intriguing case. On record as believing that three years is sufficient for a manager at any one club, Strachan has not only outlived that in his present role but has in the past shown a desire to take a break from football altogether. His relaxed approach this season as he seeks to become the first Celtic manager since Jock Stein to return four titles in a row could be mistaken in certain quarters for an element of the demob happy.

He has vehemently told fellow managers, Steve Bruce among them, to grasp the opportunity to manage Celtic if it is ever afforded to them. Bruce is perhaps the very type of figure the Parkhead board would turn to.

While Strachan's success must be put in context by Rangers' weakness, surely he would be worthy of a post in the upper echelons of England's Premier League.

"I'm a better coach now than when I joined Celtic," he explained. "The longer you stay in any job, the better you become. If you lose your drive, your enthusiasm, your imagination, that experience is no good. As long as you have all that, the longer you stay in then you will definitely get better."

Strachan is a different breed from his predecessor, Martin O'Neill, spending more time on the training field coaching. While adamant that "Martin is brilliant at what he does", the former has no intention of changing his approach.

"The reason I became a manager was to have full control over training," said Strachan. "If you are a coach, you are bound by what the manager wants you to coach. The other reason is that I just like the company of football people."

Would he take a point at Ibrox? "No, I'm going for three," Strachan replied. Mischief-makers may argue he will treat the fixture as if it is his last.

Guardian Service